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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Guitar Center, the world's largest retailer of musical instruments and equipment, and DirecTV , one of the world's leading providers of digitaltelevision entertainment services, spotlighted MEGADETH in a new episode of the award-winning music series Guitar Center Sessions on Friday, July 13. Guitar Center Sessions features exclusive performances and intimate, enlightening conversations conducted by revered musical tastemaker Nic Harcourt. The episode was filmed at Guitar Center in Hollywood, California on March 22 and premiered in 2D hi-definition onDIRECTV's Audience Network (channel 239) and in 3D on DirecTV's n3D powered by Panasonic.

A clip clip of MEGADETH performing the song "Trust" from the Guitar Center Sessions episode can be seen below.

Continuing its commitment to inspiring musicians, each episode of Guitar Center Sessions is filmed live in front of a studio audience in the world-famous Guitar Center Hollywood Vintage Room. The show gives real music fans a rare peek inside the minds of their idols, with Harcourt's thoughtful, conversational questions drawing out new and intimate details from their storied careers. Audiences hear first-hand accounts from each artist about their personal and musical journeys and the influences that molded them into the icons they have become.

After its series debut, featuring episodes with artists including Peter Gabriel, WEEZER, JANE'S ADDICTION, THE CULT, CAKE and Jakob Dylan, Guitar Center Sessions was the recipient of the International 3D Society's award for Best Music Television Series in 2010.

Fan-filmed video footage of SLAYER's July 8 performance at the Comfort Dental Amphitheatre in Englewood, Colorado can be seen below.

SLAYER recently entered the studio to record two new songs with producer Greg Fidelman for possible release as an EP before the end of the year.

In an interview with "Metal Zone" host Nikki Blakk of the San Francisco, California radio station 107.7 The Bone, SLAYER guitarist Kerry King was asked whether guitarist Jeff Hanneman — who in January 2011 contracted necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, and has been undergoing surgeries, skin grafts and intense rehab since — is contributing to the songwriting process for the new album. "On the last record [2009's 'World Painted Blood'], it was kind of, like, [split] down the middle [between me and Jeff]. On the records prior, it was mostly me. This one's been all me so far," he said. "He's welcome to contribute. It's just a matter of him [putting] something [together] and getting it to us."

Regarding when fans can expect to Jeff back on stage with SLAYER,Kerry said, "After Mayhem, we'll evaluate Jeff again; that's all we can do. He practiced for, like, three weeks with us before… I think it was FunFun Fun Fest [in November 2011] — the Austin show we did. And it just wasn't there. That's just how it is — it wasn't there. He played the songs, but if you recorded it, you could definitely tell who's who. And after playing with Holt, who's nailing everything, you can't really take a step backwards. And it sucks to say if that is a backwards step, but if [Jeff's] been gone 18 months and he's gonna make a comeback, you don’t' want it to be a backwards step, you want it to be awesome. And I think he wants it to be awesome. So, as shitty a decision as it is, that's just how it is."

On July 1, former EXODUS bassist and "The Rock And Roll Geek Show"host Michael Butler conducted an interview with ANTHRAX guitaristScott Ian at the Mountain View, California stop of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour. You can now watch the chat below. You can now watch the chat below.

Last month, it was reported that ANTHRAX was recording several cover songs, to be issued in September to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the release of the band's latest album, "Worship Music". While the band does have plans to release an EP of covers that they've done, Ian made it clear to VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner that they are "not working on a covers album." He said, "It's not at all what we're doing. [laughs] We just always record cover songs. They just happen when we're in the studio or when we're touring, we get bored of jamming on our own songs at soundcheck, so you end up jamming on cover songs and eventually we'll end up recording them and eventually, somehow, they end up getting released in some way, shape or form as B-sides, but we're definitely not working on a covers album."Regarding ANTHRAX's plans to write and record new music, Ian told VH1 Radio Network, "We do already have two or three things kind of in the works as far as new music goes, so it's just a case of if you can get into that mode to start working on them. I can't even explain why or how it happens, but sometimes you'll just get into a mode and you're able to create and you're able to work on stuff and move stuff forward, new stuff, but sometimes you just can't. Sometimes you're on tour and there's just no spark, it's just not there, it's just all about what you're doing in the moment, playing those shows."

In a "reply memorandum in further support" of his motion for preliminary injunction — which was filed this past Thursday, July 12 in the King County Superior Court in Seattle, Washington and obtained byBLABBERMOUTH.NET — the Tates' attorney, Benjamin J. Stone ofVeris Law Group PLLC, writes, "In their initial motion papers, plaintiffs Geoff and Susan Tate explain why defendants Scott Rockenfield,Michael Wilton, and Eddie Jackson should be enjoined from touring as QUEENSRŸCHE during the pendency of this litigation. Rockenfield,Wilton, and Jackson oppose the motion but, as explained below, their arguments are vague, speculative, and contradictory and fail to overcome the compelling reasons why the preliminary injunction should be issued.

"Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton admit they did the things that the Tates argue were oppressive. They claim that, as owners of 75 percent of the QUEENSRŸCHE companies, they had the right to do what they did and that their actions are protected by the business judgment rule because Geoff and Susan had usurped control of the band. But this argument is flawed and, thus, the business judgment rule does not protect their oppressive actions. Indeed, on its face, the argument makes no sense and is utterly contradictory. Since Rockenfield, Jackson, andWilton owned 75 percent of the QUEENSRŸCHE companies, clearly Geoffand Susan (who is not even a shareholder) cannot usurp control of the band. Instead, Geoff wrote the songs and Susan managed the band because Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton agreed with the direction of the band or did not care. Either way, this cannot justify what they have done now. Other reasons — resentment of Geoff and the money he made as the leading songwriter for QUEENSRŸCHE — motivated Rockenfield,Jackson, and Wilton to oppress Geoff. Their argument that Geoff was taking the band in a different direction against their wishes is also belied by the facts. Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton allege, for example, thatGeoff refused to play the band's older songs at shows. This is untrue and Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton cite no show where this occurred. Like them, Geoff loves the older songs — he helped write them — and enjoys playing them for fans. Within the last two years, for example, the band played the entire second album 'Rage For Order' for one show and, at another show, played the entire 'Operation: Mindcrime' album. Set lists from other recent shows confirm that QUEENSRŸCHE played a cross-section of songs at shows that included a number of the older songs.

"Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton also argue that the later albums were unpopular, but the record sales they cite are not relevant. Record sales are due to a number of factors. Indeed, file sharing, a way fans can share songs over the internet for free, has caused record sales to plummet across the industry since 2006, the year the first album cited by Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton was released. Another reason for falling record sales during these same years is that one record companyQUEENSRŸCHE worked with went bankrupt, one went out of business, and another is in the process of going under. As a result, record sale numbers are no longer the benchmark for determining the extent of a band's success. Instead, touring, merchandising, and promotions are more common measures of success. And during this time, Rockenfield,Jackson, and Wilton have each done well, netting between $109,000 and $340,000 each per year, under Geoff's leadership and Susan's management.

"Also false is Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton's contention that Geoff' installed' Susan as manager. They don't explain how Geoff could do this since they are three quarters of the band and the QUEENSRŸCHEcompanies. Instead, Susan could become the band's manager only with the approval of Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton, which is in fact what happened. Susan became manager after the band fired one manager for failing to do his job and misrepresenting to the band whether he had spoken with the managers of two headlining metal bands (IRON MAIDENand KISS) regarding a tour with QUEENSRŸCHE, and after the second manager (Lars Sorensen) quit.

"When Susan contacted Rockenfield and informed him that Sorensenhad quit, Rockenfield agreed that Susan could be the manager so long as she agreed to accept half of what other managers earn, which she did.Susan also had years of experience managing QUEENSRŸCHE, having served as assistant manager and before that fan club and merchandising director. Equally baseless is Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton's claim that Geoff engaged in 'self dealing' when he was paid for the story for the 'Operation: Mindcrime' animated film. Geoff came up with the idea of 'Operation: Mindcrime', wrote the story and owns the copyright. Indeed, the long-time attorney for the QUEENSRŸCHE companies concluded that 'Geoff Tate was the sole owner of the copyrights in the story and remains the sole owner today' and thus directed the studio interested in the story to pay Geoff for it. Additionally, Rockenfield, Jackson and Wilton were aware of this as early as February 2012, As a further example of how Geoff's leadership and Susan's management of QUEENSRŸCHE benefits the band, as part of the negotiations for the animated film, Susan got the studio to agree that the entire QUEENSRŸCHE band would be paid $250,000 for the score for the movie. Susan knew that Rockenfield was interested in writing scores for movies and he told her he wanted to write the score for this movie.

"The only event raised by Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton that actually occurred was the one in Brazil. But Geoff admitted at the outset that he hit Rockenfield and Wilton so there is no reason to further belabor the point. Moreover, contrary to what Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton allege, Geoff is a mild-mannered and easygoing guy who has not been violent with Rockenfield, Jackson, or Wilton or anyone else. This one isolated event does not justify kicking Geoff out of the band and demanding that he sell back his shares in the companies after 30 years of work. They are simply using it as an excuse; if their allegations were true, why would they play the show in Brazil and then play two more shows withGeoff? The fact that Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton never pursued the matter until now, and began taking control of the band and the companies in February shows that' they intended to fire Geoff before Brazil. The incident provided them with a convenient excuse to justify it.

"Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton claim that they will likely be awarded the band name because they collaborated in songwriting. This is simply not true. Except to a very limited extent, as evidenced by the songwriting royalty spreadsheet, Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton did not participate in songwriting. Instead, Geoff has received 81 percent of the songwriting credit and for the past 30 years has been the face and voice of the band. Indeed, in their efforts to prove their other points,Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton even admit that, for years, they did not play a role in the creative or business aspects of the band.

"It is also clear that Geoff is the only one who truly cares about QUEENSRŸCHE and its fans. After kicking him out of the band,Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton canceled the remaining QUEENSRŸCHE shows, burning the promoters who booked the shows and the fans who bought the tickets. This has clearly alienated promoters and the fans who had bought the tickets to see QUEENSRŸCHE. To prevent this damage from occurring to the show in Utah, Geoff flew to Utah and played with his acoustic band.

"A particularly incredible claim by Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton is that the bond for the preliminary injunction should be at least $10 million. They rely entirely on Paul Geary, their manager, who, in saying what he believes the band will earn, is merely speculating on whether promoters — who are the ones who actually book the band — will be interested inQUEENSRŸCHE without Geoff Tate and, if so, what they are willing to pay for the band to play. Mr. Geary gets paid more the more promoters pay for the band and thus he has an incentive to inflate his figures.

"The letter from Sullivan Bigg cited by Geary is equally irrelevant since.Mr. Bigg is not a promoter, but an agent. Also, Mr. Bigg's statements are not credible since he does not identify the promoters who are allegedly interested in the new QUEENSRŸCHE, where the shows will be held, or how much the band will be paid for each show. Indeed, Rockenfield,Jackson, and Wilton are not even hiring Mr. Bigg or playing the shows he mentions since Geary states that they are hiring another agent. And a third agency not mentioned by Geary — Paradise Artists — previously claimed to be representing QUEENSRŸCHE.

"In sum, Rockenfield, Jackson and Wilton do not have an agent, and do not have any commitments from promoters for shows. The only thing they appear to be doing is burning bridges with agents who apparently believe they represent the band. In fact, the only promoters to opine in this case confirm the Tates' position that promoters and fans will have no interest in booking QUEENSRŸCHE without Geoff Tate and, if they do, it will be in small venues for less money. As Mr. Elko, who has booked QUEENSRŸCHE shows for 15 years, testified: 'There is no QUEENSRŸCHE without Geoff Tate singing. He is the voice of the band. If the band goes out on tour without Geoff, I would not book the band, and I am unaware of any promoter who would promote that show.' Also,Rockenfield, Jackson, and Wilton will not be harmed by the injunction because they can make money playing QUEENSRŸCHE songs as the bandRISING WEST. RISING WEST played 'two sold-out shows and rave critical and fan reviews.' Wilton testified that, after the show, 'we received offers from management companies and promoters asking us to bring the show to their cities.' Thus, only a nominal bond, in the sum of $5,000, should be required.

"The Tates respectfully request that this Court enjoin Rockenfield,Jackson, and Wilton from touring, recording, or using the name QUEENSRŸCHE while this litigation is pending.

Guitar World has posted an exclusive excerpt from the magazine's recent interview with guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Read the segment below.

Guitar Word: The last time we talked, you said you weren’t sure if you wanted to make a new Van Halen album. What changed your mind?

EVH: I think I was pissed off at the time. I didn’t want to do something new because I felt that even if we did, the fans wouldn’t like it anyway. We just snapped back and realized that, hey, we’re doing this for us, too. This is what we do. We make music for a living. Like I’ve always said, if you like what you’re doing, you’re halfway there; if someone else likes it, that’s even better. If they don’t like it, at least you like it. Not to be selfish, but you kind of have to be.

Guitar Word: What got the ball rolling on this album?

EVH: Wolfgang’s enthusiasm. He was going, “Come on, come on!” We went up to 5150 and started jamming. It felt like a comfortable old pair of shoes. Working with Dave again was like we had never left each other. It was that comfortable. We’ve known each other since high school. When you have old friends, five or six years can go by when you don’t see each other, but you just pick up where you left off.

We started recording at the studio at my house with just Alex, Wolfgang and me. Basically it’s the same way we start any record. We went through our archives of stuff we had already written. Wolfgang picked out a bunch of tunes. She’s the Woman was the first one. We started jamming on songs like She’s the Woman andBullethead and reworked them.

Dave was onboard from the beginning. I was already recording and engineering demos of She’s the Woman, Bullethead and Let’s Get Rockin’, which is now Outta Space. I sent Pro Tools files of recordings over to Dave, who was working over at Henson Studios, where he likes to record, which got him totally excited. He said, “Let’s get going!”

Guitar Word: How did you choose John Shanks [Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac] to produce the album?

EVH: The most difficult part of the process was deciding whether or not we should use a producer and who we should use. We had a big list of producers. Ever since we did that interview together with Tony Iommi [for GW’s Anniversary 2010 issue], I’ve been in contact with Tony a lot. Sabbath is doing their reunion also, and they’re working with Rick Rubin. I don’t think Rick is the right producer for the kind of band that Van Halen is, but his name was in the hat.

So was Pat Leonard [Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, Madonna]. Dave doesn’t have a home studio, so he goes down to Henson to record, write and keep his voice in shape. One day he told me that he ran into this guy named John Shanks. I thought he was an odd choice, but we were open to anything. John asked what we had. I played him our three demos, and he loved them.

It was actually Wolf’s idea for the album to be a collection of our B-sides along with three reworked songs, which would be new to our audience. Instead of the "Best Of" it would be the B’s Of” — you know, songs like Drop Dead Legs, Girl Gone Bad… It would be a record of our more hardcore songs and none of the pop stuff. That was the initial plan for this album, but the deeper we dug, the more we found. At the same time I was writing new songs.

Dave got very excited about that. We all did. We ended up recording demos for 35 songs. All of those songs were ready to go, and we were able to play them all. We called John again and asked, “Are you busy? Do you want to come up and take a listen?” He was like, “Whoa! You’ve got a shitload of songs here!” We pretty much left it to John and Wolfgang to pick the songs, and it all went from there.

For the new album, Wolfgang pulled out some songs from the band’s past, which is something the group had done for previous records. For example, on Fair Warning, the band was still drawing on material like Mean Street/Voodoo Queen, which were from the demos you recorded before the first album came out. We were doing things like that even later.

Seventh Seal [from Balance] is a song that I wrote before Van Halen was even a band. Hang ’Em High [from Diver Down] was written long before we put it on an album. Same with House of Pain [from 1984], which was also on the demos we recorded in 1976 with Gene Simmons.

We approached this record no different than any other. The internet has changed everything. Now everyone knows where things came from. Before the internet nobody would have known that these were songs that we had already written but never released. When the album first came out, some people were saying that we purposely did old songs to get the public to relate to our old sound. But this record wasn’t planned that way. Whenever we make a record the first thing we do is go over what we already have in the bag that we can pick from, and then we focus on writing new material.

When we were digging around, I was amazed how fresh some of the songs sounded. I was going, “Did I really write that way back then?” The biggest trip is that I wrote some of those songs when I was still in high school and even junior high. A good idea is a good idea no matter when you do it.

To read the interview in it's entirety, check out the August 2012 issue of Guitar World, which is available now at the Guitar World Online Store.

While gearing up to take Poison on tour with Def Leppard this summer, Bret Michaels found time to assemble an all-star cast of guests for his new CD, Bret Michaels and Friends: Get Your Rock On, due in September.

"Every song on it is a collaboration with other musicians," says Michaels. "And it's such a diverse range of people, from Loretta Lynn and Joe Perry [who play on a reworking of the Poision hit Every Rose Has Its Thorn] and Jimmy Buffett to Lil Jon, Michael Anthony, Ace Frehley, all the Skynyrd guys, guys from .38 Special and Blackfoot and Rascal Flatts' Jay [DeMarcus]. These are friends and people I've played with, partied with, jammed with throughout the years."

A new version of Poison's Nothin' But a Good Time utilizes the talents of Frehley, Anthony and Lil Jon. "Ace Frehley is the real deal," says Michaels. "He laid down this amazing solo and then Michael Anthony came in, he did the backups, and I was like, 'Just play some Michael Anthony licks.' He did, and that's what made magic on the song."

While many of the featured artists are now friends of Michaels, they started off as his rock n' roll heroes. That's most apparent on his rendition of Sweet Home Alabama. "I did [it] with all the guys from Lynyrd Skynyrd, the guys from Blackfoot and .38 Special," he says. "That was amazing because probably my first foot in the door as a child was traditional country, then I got turned onto the Beatles and Stones. Then I immediately fell in love with Southern rock, which was kind of a perfect mixture of country and rock."

Michaels isn't done recruiting collaborators. He hopes to get Zakk Wylde to come in and redo Go That Far, the theme from Rock of Love. Also, after seeing Cheap Trick in concert recently, he got another idea. "I'd like to get Rick Nielsen to come in to play onTalk Dirty to Me,'" he says. "I think that'd be great to have him come in and put his style on a song that I remade in an over-the-top, punk-metal fashion."

Though Michaels admits, "This could be the never-ending record," he's focused on finishing it and can't help but get excited about the prospects of future collaborations. "If I was to do another one of these records, it's overwhelming the amount of possibilities," he says. "I've been onstage with Jimmy Page, he's come and played with Poison in Reno, Nevada, and it was an amazing night. And last year, I played with Toby Keith and partied with him. The list is endless."

Watch Bret Michaels' video for his brand new single, Get Your Rock On below.

Friday, July 13, 2012

It seems like the America Rocks Tour has come to an end. But for some, is this just an end to the tour or possibly the bands history? For Glam fans around the globe it could be bad news as the legendary Pretty Boy Floyd seem to have hit hard times once again.

According to a Tweet and Facebook postings (see below) by guitarist Kristy Majors he had injured his back last week and looked to cancel the remaining 2012 tour dates for Pretty Boy Floyd.

It is believed according to Tweets by Majors that he indeed flew home to Los Angeles. But the word is that frontman Steve "Sex" Summers found a replacement guitarist to finish out the tour.

Now in the last 48 hours there is more drama with some stolen or missing musical gear. And the theft is alleged by Majors to be from his own band mate Summers.

On Wednesay July 11th Kristy posted the following on his Official Facebook

My $4,000 custom pedal board was willfully & knowingly stolen from the tour bus this morning with several witnesses and there is an arrest warrant out for Steven podwal aka Steve summers for grand theft . If you see him selling it on eBay or Craigslist please let me know . It's irreplaceable . Thanks

If you are convicted of grand theft as a misdemeanor, you face up to one year in a county jail. If you are convicted of grand theft as a felony, you face 16 months, or two or three years in the California State Prison.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach has shot down an interviewer claims and reached out to his former bandmates in an explosive open letter, confirming that the original Skid Row lineup was due to get back together and was booked to play Sonisphere.

Bach continues, “Every time there is a question I answer, on his site, ‘Well, you know, John…’ I can guarantee you I did not know this person’s name. I challenge Mr Parks to put up the audio of what I actually said, so you can hear for yourself what bullshit lies ended up in his interview.

That’s why it’s futile for me to respond to my replacement’s ridiculous claims. Because I’ll bet you Jonathan Parks used more than a little creative license in his interview, as he did in mine.”

Bach also responds to current Skid Row singer Johnny Solinger allegedly suggesting that reunion rumors were unfounded by saying, “It’s not ‘crap. We were offered to play two shows at Sonisphere in Europe. They even printed up posters for the show which had us on the bill.

For more than 40 years KISS has let the fans be the boss and the fans love them for it. My old band is the complete opposite of that.

For the fans I would be willing to put my ego aside and do something that would be special for the people who put us where we are today. I do not personally want it myself – but it’s not always about what I want.

So to my old band members, if you want to try and get out of the internet bullshit and come together for the sake of the fans, give me a call.”

He continues, “One last gigantic ‘fuck you’ to Jonathan Parks for being a slimy scumbag. The fans have you to thank for completely fucking up this year’s chances for a reunion. Way to go, stupid.”

Crumbs. The interviewer in question has responded to the diatribe, telling Classic Rock, “If one reads the interview they will see only one mention of Bas saying my name. One mention does not equal the “every time” name dropping Bas suggests. It was the very first question and of course that’s how most normal phone chats start.

The interview he is complaining about was published six months ago. He wasn’t upset six months ago and in fact tweeted and Facebooked the link. It was only after we ran an interview this week with Mr. Solinger that he freaked out.

We record our interviews on our cellphones’ internal storage and after they are published they are deleted. This is true for not just Mr. Riot Act but for all celebs we talk to.

As for Bas saying that he assumes the Snake and Solinger interviews were lies as well, why not ask them or go to www.skidrow.com where Sabo’s chat is prominently featured?”

Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie are hitting the road together this fall, co-headlining theTwins of Evil tour which begins, first in the U.S. and then with a ten country sweep through Europe.

Launching September 28th, when both Zombie and Manson co-headline the first day of the Desert Uprising Festival in Phoenix, Arizona and winding up in Dallas on Halloween, October 31st.

"Finally! Why did the most obvious tour take so long to happen? Who knows? Who cares? It's happening now," stated Zombie. "If good taste is the chief enemy of great art, then we should be able to fill the Louvre with this f***ing tour. Be prepared for something wicked this way a-coming."

"I have sympathy for the Whore of Babylon that gave birth to these twins of evil, and this abomination of a tour," says Marilyn Manson. "There is no babysitter, and there is no repairing her womb. If Rob Zombie doesn't f*** you up, than I surely will. Hide all drugs and firearms...I'm coming to town."

J Devil, the DJ alter ego of KoRn's frontman Jonathan Davis, will support the Manson/Zombie dates with his chaotic electro-metal. "I like to think of J Devil as the 'anti-christ' of EDM," he said. "To play alongside Zombie and Manson is going to be a f***ing sinister night all around, and an unbelievable theatrical experience. I can't wait."

For the Twins of Evil tour, Zombie and his band of maniacs - John 5/guitar, Piggy D/bass and drummer Ginger Fish - will bring their elaborate, multi-media production, complete with hair-raising theatrics, animatronic robots, oversized LED screens, a non-stop collage of psychotronic monster film clips, a spectacular light show, a gigantic robot with flames shooting out of its body, pyrotechnics, insane guitar riffs and vicious beats.

On August 7th, prior to the kick off of the Twins of Evil tour, Mondo Sex Head, an album featuring new and unique remixes of Rob Zombie classics by some of today's top DJs, including KoRn's Jonathan "J Devil" Davis, Photek, the Bloody Beetroots, Kraddy, Drumcorps, and Ki: Theory will be released (Universal Music Enterprises/UMe). Fans can download one of the new songs, "Thunder Kiss '65 (J-Devil Number of the Beast Remix)," from iTunes.

With more shows to be annouced, the dates for the Twins of Evil tour are as follows:

Fox confirms that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler will be leaving American Idol.While, Tyler said his seasons on the show was a "tremendous honor," he reveals that his decision to depart the show was because he strayed from his "first love."

"After some long...hard...thoughts…I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistressAmerican Idol before she boils my rabbit," Tyler says in a statement. "I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I'm back—but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I've got two fists in the air and I'm kicking the door open with my band. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass—the ultimate in auditory takeover. On November 6th, we are unleashing our new album, Music From Another Dimension on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and way beyond the stars…Idol was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it's time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD."

For those not up to date on Internet slang, "ERMAHGERD" is another term for "Oh my god!"

"It's been a tremendous honor to have Steven—one of the most prolific artists in the world—on American Idol for the past two seasons," Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment for Fox, says in a statement. "He's been a terrific judge, a true friend and great mentor to everyone involved with the show, and we know he'll continue to be a huge inspiration to Idol hopefuls for years to come. We are very sad that Steven has chosen to focus more on his music, but we always knew when we hired a rock 'n' roll legend, he would go back to the music. We all wish him all the best and would love to have him back on the show anytime."

Tyler's exit comes the very same day Jennifer Lopez appeared on the Today show that she also wants out of Idol.

Watch Aerosmith's video for Legendary Child, from their forthcoming album Music From Another Dimension, below.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Lita Ford says she took a 45 minute opportunity to escape her “mentally, physically, sexually abusive” marriage – and feared her relationship with ex-husband Jim Gillette would be “the end” of her.

She says her recent divorce from Gillette, that has left her unable to see her two sons, was the “darkest, most horrible” time of her life and she suspects former manager Sharon Osbourne believes she slept with Ozzy – even though she insists she didn’t.

Ford is currently touring with Def Leppard and Poison in support of her new albumLiving Like A Runaway, in which she explores the story of surviving her marriage to Gillette, in the hope that her children will one day be allowed to hear it.

She tells CleveScene.com, “I had 45 minutes to get out of the house. I grabbed my keys one day, got my guitars and put them in a neighbor’s house. I had prepared to leave. This guy is just a freak. He was abusive – mentally, physically, sexually. He’s horrible.”

In a separate interview Ford tells Classic Rock Revisited “I was afraid for years to leave. I got to the point where I knew it was time to make a break for it. I thought I wasn’t going to live very long. I really thought it was going to be the end of me – I had to leave.

If a woman feels she is being controlled and verbally, physically or emotionally abused, she has got to find a way to get out of there. Just say, ‘Honey, I’m going to get a bottle of milk at the store,’ leave and don’t come back. You may have to do it one step at a time and get things ready. You may have to set up a place where you can go when you’re ready to leave. It takes a lot of balls, it really does. Think of a way to get out.”

Meanwhile, the former Runaways guitarist says she’s hurt that her relationship with the Osbournes broke down.

“I saw Sharon recently in LA and she didn’t want to talk to me – it hurt my feelings because I love her,” Ford explains.

“I severed our ties because Sharon was in really deep ice with Ozzy. It was affecting my career. He had choked her and she had pressed charges. During that whole time I was like, ‘I have a gig tonight – do you think you could answer my phone call?’

It wasn’t anything against Sharon. I love her. When I look back on those days I wonder if she thought I was having sex with Ozzy. He was screwing everything that moved – but I would never do that to her, nor did I want to. I don’t know if she knows I didn’t. Ozzy probably doesn’t remember if he did or didn’t.”

Rat Pak Records will release the new Lynch Mob CD Sound Mountain Sessions on August 7th.

Sound Mountain Sessions is a straight forward, gritty, well-polished American hard rock offering from legendary Lynch Mob, that truly captures the magic of their genre. It's got bite, it's got soul, and lyrically, vocalist Oni Logan holds nothing back on this one.Sound Mountain Sessions, is a four song EP that rivals their previous work from the early years.

Another fantastic element about these new songs is the addition of bassist Robbie Crane, who brings solid grooves and melodic backing vocals to each track (a little known fact: Robbie was actually the very first bass player of Lynch Mob). George Lynch does what George Lynch has always done best in this amazing release -- he plugs in his guitar and then taps into the universal energy that only the elite guitar gods have access to... and delivers the goods.

This is the EP that introduces you to the next and best chapter of these legendary rockers. Featured tracks include: Slow Drag, World of Chance, City of Freedom, and Sucka.

As previously reported, Queensryche members Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield have filed a counter suit against their former singer Geoff Tate.

Transcripts from that suit were obtained exclusively by Blabbermouth.net, and today the website has disclosed further claims from said lawsuit as reported:

In a sworn declaration from Parker Lundgren — who has been touring with Queensryche since 2009 and who was briefly married to Geoff Tate's stepdaughter Miranda (they have since divorced) — states, "On April 14, 2012, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at approximately 11:00 p.m., I was chatting with Scott Rockenfield while awaiting for our show to start. Geoff Tate came up to Scott Rockenfield from the other side of the drum riser and shoved Scott Rockenfield's drumset over in Scott Rockenfield's direction. Geoff Tate then said, 'You f**king pussy' and spat at him. Our techs immediately ran to the drum raiser to fix the drums, drum mice and laptop that had been knocked over. Meanwhile, Geoff Tate walked over to Michael Wilton and hit him open-handed in the face, spit on him and said more obscenities. Michael Wilton tried to walk away as Geoff Tate followed him and continued to spit on him and call him names. Scott Rockenfield ran over to break them up when Geoff Tate then hit Scott Rockenfield twice in the head. Security ran in to separate Geoff Tate from the rest of the band. Geoff Tate walked by Eddie Jackson and said to him, 'You're next.' Orlando Scott 'Fozzy' O'Hare, our tour manager, was able to calm Geoff Tate down enough for us to play the show. We were advised to stay in one place during the show and to avoid going near Geoff Tate. We were also advised to not go near the edge of the stage for fear that Geoff Tate would push someone off stage. During the rest of the show, Geoff Tate repeatedly spit on Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield, and Eddie Jackson and continued to call them names. After the show, we were told to head straight to the hotel.

After we got to the hotel, our tech, Anthony Bender, and I headed out to a bar for drinks, and we were later accompanied by Geoff Tate and Kelly Gray. During a conversation between Geoff Tate and I at the bar, Geoff Tate said, 'I wish that I would have hit Michael harder,' and 'I wish I could get my hands on Scott because I would kill him.'

It is very apparent that Scott Rockenfield, Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson's musical direction in Queensryche has stayed true throughout their 31 years of being a band. Their musical contributions, both in writing and playing live, best resembles the music that they have come to be known for. They listen to what their fans want and continue to be the driving force behind the band.

While Geoff Tate is the primary lyricist in the band, he has never written the music for a song in Queensryche. All of the music has been written by Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Chris DeGarmo, and recently some outside writers that Geoff Tate worked with.

It is evident that Geoff Tate's musical tastes have changed over the years which is understandable. He has even stated in recent interviews that he doesn't like metal.

Queensryche is a brand and fans expect the brand Queensryche, which is a metal band, to maintain their sound, style, and trademark characteristics. Much of the music that Geoff Tate chose to write lyrics to on Dedicated To Chaos sounds like music from his solo project album. There is nothing wrong with the musical direction that Geoff Tate has shifted towards except that it does not fit with Queensryche. It belongs in a different project such as the Geoff Tate solo project.

Aside from Geoff Tate's recent assault in Brazil, he has also made threats to the band at the M3 and Rocklahoma festivals that if anyone in the band comes near him, he is going to hit them. He has also tarnished the band's name by telling the audience that they sucked during the Rocklahoma festival which was streamed live on television.

When Scott Rockenfield, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and I performed Queensryche material with Todd La Torre, it was the most positive and enthusiastic response that I have seen in my entire run with the band, both from the crowd and amidst the band. We played the older, heavier material that the fans always ask for and that we are never able to play. The shows sold out both nights and the merchandise sold out immediately. We had nothing but positive reviews and the fans loved it. We had fans fly to Seattle for the shows from all around the world, some even as far as Japan. What was even more uplifting than the crowd's reaction was the band's reaction. I have never seen bigger smiles on the guys' faces while we played the shows. The positivity continued long after the shows as we started hanging out, going to dinners, going to shows, and most importantly writing music together as a band, which I never experienced while Geoff Tate was in the band. Everyone, including the new singer Todd La Torre, is on the same page. We want to play the same kind of music, and stay true to the Queensryche legacy."

Monday, July 9, 2012

BANGOR, Maine — The drummer for musician Ted Nugent is facing multiple charges after police say he drunkenly stole a golf cart after the band’s show on the Bangor waterfront Sunday, according to police.

Bangor police Officers Steve Jordan and Jim Dearing were working at the waterfront pavillion during Sunday’s show featuring Styx, REO Speedwagon and Nugent when security alerted them to an issue behind the stage, according to a news release from Sgt. Paul Edwards.

Police were alerted that Mick Brown, 55, who is Nugent’s drummer, had stolen a golf cart used by Waterfront Concerts staff and was drunkenly driving it around the Front Street area at about 9:45 p.m., according to Edwards.

Several people had attempted to stop Brown, but he had sped away down the foot path near the Sea Dog, the sergeant said. Jordan later observed the cart with two females on board near the Railroad Street crossing, and attempted to stop Brown, again without success.

After Brown had accelerated past Jordan, Edwards said a security officer got close enough to stop him, but Brown gave the officer a shove. Two other security team members removed Brown from the cart physically and he was placed under arrest.

Brown was taken to the Penobscot County Jail and booked on charges of operating under the influence, driving to endanger, theft and assault. He was later released on $4,000 bail.

Paul Di’Anno has shocked fans by announcing that 2013 will be his final year as a performer.

The colorful ex Iron Maiden singer has struggled against jail stints, poor health and addiction issues to keep delivering rock shows since rising to fame with the NOWBHM outfit in 1980.

He posted on Facebook, “I am gonna be “Pulling The Plug” next year 2013, and making it my “Farewell Tour”…it was good whilst it lasted.”

The news took followers by surprise, many of whom replied with expressions of astonishment and urging him to rethink his decision.

It had been reported he was working on a new solo album, but it’s not known whether he’ll complete the project before retiring.

Di’Anno, real name Paul Andrews, fronted Maiden for their first two albums before being replaced by Bruce Dickinson. Often outspoken in his attitude to the band, he fluctuated between criticizing and supporting his former bandmates.

He went on to play with a number of bands including Gogmagog, Praying Mantis and Battlezone. He was last jailed in 2011 after UK benefits investigators discovered he’d been performing concerts across the world while claiming he was incapable of working due to a back complaint. He’d fraudulently claimed over £45,000 (approximately $60,115.50 U.S. dollars).

On his release he said, “Prison’s hard, but I’m harder. And I managed not to pick up the soap.”

Veteran hard rockers and nationally touring act, Bang Tango, along with videographer Drew Fortier, are working on a documentary of the band for release later this year.

The documentary will contain interviews with current and original Bang Tango members as well as most of the in betweeners who have performed with the band over the years. The film will explore the history of the band and what the original members are up to now, but for the most part it will give insight into the recording of the group's latest release, 2011's Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt.

"The Bang Tango Documentary will be a great insight on where the band has come from and where the band is now," Fortier said, "and also bridge the gap for the fans of the original line-up to allow them to know what the original guys are up to now. Also there will be interviews with original members, current members, and a few previous members such as Alex Grossi and Mark Tremalgia etc. It will give people a reason, fan or not, to care about Bang Tango, and the current line-up in general -- how hard these guys actually work when they're on the road, in the studio, etc."

"Another reason, of course, is the comedy," Fortier continues. "I have over 100 hours of footage, and most of it is like Animal House in a recording studio. A lot of it will also concentrate on the recording sessions for their latest release Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt. Another thing I wanted to touch on was what happened with the long lost album Love After Death, which is a hidden treasure in the world of rock and never got released in the U.S., only in Europe in 1994."

"They actually brought the idea up to me, for the most part, to do a short studio documentary while they were recording here in Chicago," stated Fortier when asked what the members of Bang Tango thought of a documentary. "But the more footage I got, the more we knew we had something special here. And when I dug deeper into the actual story of Bang Tango, and everything that went along with that, I knew that this could easily be a great movie. So then I started contacting people, and traveling for interviews. Overall its going to be something special -- a little bit different, off the cuff, insightful and funny as hell!"

While an official release date for the currently untitled project is unconfirmed, Fortier is hoping to unveil it later this year.

In the meantime three trailers for the film have been posted, viewable below.

Congratulations to Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde and his wife, Barbaranne, who welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy named Sabbath Page Wielandt Wylde, named after Black Sabbath, Wylde's spokesperson has confirmed to Rolling Stone.
The tribute isn't just that of a fan, Wylde was Ozzy Osbourne's longtime guitarist and the Black Sabbath frontman is the godfather to Zakk's child, Jesse.
This isn't the first time the Wyldes have paid tribute to a rock hero with the names of their offspring – just ask their son Hendrix.
Sabbath, whose middle name Page may or may not be an homage to Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, was born a healthy 8 lbs., 1 oz. Barbaranne Tweeted,"Little man Sabbath. Night everyone xoxo," with a picture of the newborn.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Following frontman Randy Blythe's imprisonment in the Czech Republic over suspicion of manslaughter, Lamb of God have released a statement addressing the situation. The singer has been detained since last week over an incident in which a fan died after a 2010 concert in the country.

The band begins by thanking "everyone who has reached out in support . . . We have been keeping our heads down and not speaking out due to the fluid nature of the situation and the constantly changing information that even we receive daily. Within an hour things can do endless 180's. It's maddening to try and make heads or tails," they write. "We're taking the time to speak to you as it has been a significant period of time since this situation began and while nothing is immediately clear to any of us, we are not trying to keep anyone in the dark.

"We have reached out and are making use of the resources we have acquired to help our brother who is still detained in Czech jail," the band continues. "In the two years since, we were never notified of anything related to this incident."

"Randy is our brother and we assure you, we are all staying very positive for him, working endlessly behind the scenes to provide any and all assistance possible," the statement concludes. "The best we can do is to stay positive and continue to support our friend that we know is innocent. We know that justice will prevail and we will continue to do our part to support our friend."

Blythe was arrested on June 27th on suspicion of manslaughter after an incident on May 24th, 2010, when a fan who repeatedly came onstage was pushed off and eventually died. The band had returned to the Czech Republic on tour in support of their latest album, Resolution. Lamb of God have also set up a legal fund for Blythe.

Last night's CBGB Festival show at Webster Hall in New York City was forced to shut down early after a former bassist attacked members of the Cro-Mags in a dressing room, the New York Post reports.

At around 8:15 p.m., Harley Flanagan, a founding member of the band who played bass with them for more than a decade, allegedly forced his way through Webster Hall's VIP section toward the Cro-Mags' dressing room. Upon reaching the dressing room, he stabbed William Berario and Michael Couls with a hunting knife, and bit Berario on the cheek.

Flanagan was eventually subdued by several security guards, and handcuffed to a chair by the police.

"People started booing him and throwing stuff at him," a witness told the Post. "His hands were handcuffed but he still gave everyone the finger."

The two injured musicians were taken to the hospital for their wounds, which were not life-threatening. Flanagan was also taken to the hospital for a broken leg sustained in the effort to subdue him. He was charged with two counts of second degree assault and a weapons charge.

"We are saddened to learn about the events that occurred last night at Webster Hall," the organizers of the CBGB Festival said in a statement. "Our primary concern is always the safety and experience of New Yorkers, music fans and the general public. Naturally we will fully cooperate with law enforcement while hoping for the speedy recovery of those injured."